The first in a series of dance events hosted by Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts
So you say you can’t dance? Worried about your two left feet? Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture to the rescue as it introduces a new series of dance events at the newly christened Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. First up is a West Coast Swing Dance Party on Tuesday, September 7. Lessons start at 6:30 followed by social dancing from 7-9pm. West Coast Swing will continue on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future. The cost is $10 for the lesson and general admission or if you already know what you are doing, come at 7pm and the cost is only $5. Hard to beat.
Instructors are Amanda and Tim Davis who are no strangers on the local dance scene. Amanda worked for many years at Jacque’s Dance Expressions and now owns and operates Transitions Dance Center. Both Tim and Amanda have been heavily involved in the Dancing with our Stars programs for many years.
West Coast Swing is a partner dance characterized by an elastic look that allows both partners to improvise steps while still dancing together. This puts West Coast Swing on a short list of dances that emphasize improvisation. The origins of West Coast Swing are in the Lindy Hop. Western swing, country boogie, and jump blues were popular on the West Coast throughout the 40s and 50s when they were renamed and marketed as rock and roll in 1954. Dancers danced a ‘swingier’ smoother and more subdued form of jitterbug to Western swing music which became West Coast Swing. Lots of different musical styles lend themselves to this dance form from classic blues and country music to pop music standards.
Got a partner who “won’t dance, don’t ask me?’ Please do not hesitate to come alone. There will be plenty of dance partners for all to go around. Come out and make new friends.
“In many of our surveys about what people are interested in, dance parties and lessons rank very near the top,” said David Read, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Executive Director. “We will also soon be offering salsa events and other forms of ballroom dancing, at some point, with live music,” he added. For more information about this event and other 2021 programs during our 40th anniversary year, contact Yuba Sutter Arts at 530-742-ARTS or email david@yubasutterarts.org.